"10% [of young people] would support a complete ban
on cars if global warming continues to get worse" (Oxfam
Generation Why Blog)
Yet, alternatives to the car remain unattractive to many
- and avoiding getting a car is, for many, a very difficult thing to do.
At today's NYA
Research Programme Review Day, John
Barker presented his recent research
into bus travel for young people in the UK. One of the (many)
interesting points raised through his presentation, was the way in which pricing
schemes for bus travel seem almost designed to push young people to learn to
drive and escape 'reliance' on busses as soon as they can.
When prices are put up to full fare at ages 14 or 16 -
ages when young people are not neccessarily gaining any significant increase in
disposable income - bus companies provide little incentive for young people to
think about developing their lifestyle to fit with public transport. Instead
they create a cost pressure to force young people away from the bus, and to
eagerly await the time when they can drive.
Surely that can't be good for any of: long term business of bus companies, for
creating a more sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to transport and of course, for young people accessing and participating in their communities?
To take action: See the UKYP Fares Fair
campaign
See also: announcing the research on the Aiming High blog here and this post about the research on the innovation exchange site.